America Walks Promotes Walkable Communities

Did you know that nearly a third of Americans don’t drive? Whether due to age, disability, or financial constraints, millions of people rely on walking/rolling, biking, public transit, or some other way to go where they need to go. But decades of car-dependent policies have left many American communities unprepared to serve nondrivers. Cracked or nonexistent sidewalks, infrequent buses, and dangerous roads harm all of us, but can pose significant barriers to older adults, people with disabilities, children, and caregivers who either do not have access to a personal vehicle or choose to use an alternative method, such as walking, to get where they are going.

There are many communities across the country working to address physical and systemic barriers to transportation access. America Walks is a national organization that promotes walkable accessible communities for all. We know that walking as a form of transportation is great for one’s health. People who live in walkable communities have dramatically lower instances of chronic disease, as well as reduced social isolation. Communities that accommodate a variety of personal travel choices, not just travel by car, encourage individuals to walk to get where they need to go safely, have more robust local economies, and are better for the environment. America Walks (AW) supports organizations and individuals from across the country with resources for creating more walkable, safer communities for people of all ages and abilities. Whether assisting a small town in building sidewalks or advocating for changes in highway construction policies, AW collaborates with people from all walks of life to enhance their neighborhoods and ensure everyone benefits. AW’s work falls into three buckets:

• Inform: Provide thought leadership and public education on walking and accessibility-related issues, as well as training and technical assistance on how to advance community projects
• Inspire: Engage with advocates of all backgrounds to shine a light on walkability inequities and drive a transformative narrative for positive change
• Activate: Mobilize a diverse range of advocates, professionals, and policymakers to work together in support of policy priorities that promote walking and movement – at every level of government.

AW encourages readers to check out their National Walking College, Community Change Grants, and Walk2Connect technical assistance program. Their website also contains resources for advocates and links to educational webinars.

The Week Without Driving (WWD)

One of America Walks’ major initiatives – Week Without Driving (WWD) – set a straightforward yet profound goal: encourage decision makers to forego the use of their cars for one week and experience their community as nondrivers. Inspired and supported by the work of Disability Rights Washington in Washington state, America Walks brought the Week Without Driving to a nationwide audience.

In 2023, its first year as a nation-wide initiative, the Week without Driving garnered support from 953 organizations and individuals from 41 states and decision makers across 41 states. Participation increased dramatically in 2024 to a total of 3,595 organizations, decision makers and individuals participating, including:

• Local organizations and organizers, representing all 50 states
• Decision-makers from 45 states, including elected officials from the state and local level, public sector leaders, and professionals
• Individual community members from 46 states

One of WWD’s standout successes in 2024 was its ability to bring local stories to a national audience. From small-town newspapers to online platforms, media coverage helped shine a spotlight on the barriers faced by nondrivers. Interviews with participants highlighted everything from inaccessible bus schedules to the joys of exploring neighborhoods on foot.

What fueled this growth? A mix of strategic outreach and grassroots energy. Partnerships played a key role. By collaborating with local and national organizations, organizers connected communities with decision-makers in ways that inspired action. As the national leader of WWD, American Walks provided training webinars to over 150 participants, which included opportunities to exchange best practices. As a result, AW provided tailored technical assistance to 35 organizations which hosted WWD campaigns across 25 states.

Insights That Shift Perspectives 

WWD participants faced hurdles like unreliable buses or inaccessible sidewalks. That real-life experience deepened their understanding of how these mobility barriers affect daily life and how their own lives would look if they couldn’t drive. As one participant shared, “This experience has made me increasingly sympathetic with people who have no other option than to walk, especially those with disabilities. Grocery shopping while carrying 30 pounds of food for two miles? Nearly impossible.”

A public sector leader wrote: “It makes me really think about the amount of space and money we dedicate to cars/car drivers, and how little space, infrastructure, and money we spend helping people. It also makes me think about how the design of our roadways prioritizes the speed of vehicles, rather than the safety of people walking, rolling, biking, and using transit.” And an elected decision maker shared her experience: “I think a Week Without Driving foregrounds the access issues we are aware of but perhaps don’t prioritize. I hope that we can use the focus of a Week Without Driving to commit to change in the near term.”

These reflections underscore WWD’s power to reshape priorities. In fact, 75% of participating decision makers expressed interest in joining again next year, demonstrating the campaign’s impact on individuals.

To learn more about America Walks and Week Without Driving visit: https://americawalks.org/campaigns/week-without-driving/

This blog was written by guest blogger Mike McGinn, Executive Director of America Walks.